Q. I've been listening to your lectures on YouTube for a while now and have slowly been incorporating Platonic ascetic practices into my own lifestyle. And while I understand that we should not dedicate much focus to the trappings of this physical existence (e.g. fashion, social status, wealth), nevertheless we must live in this world to some extent.
Over the years, I've often wondered if you had a personal rule or rules regarding physical possessions. As a follower of the extreme minimalism movement, I strive to own as little as reasonably possible. For instance, my ideal possessions include two changes of clothes, the minimum amount of toiletries to maintain hygiene, a phone, identifying documents, and a bag to hold them in. The application of extreme minimalism in my life extends further to include things such as property and social obligations.
I'm aware that some of these concepts apply to your own life per your recorded lectures, but I'm writing to see if you can elaborate more on how possessions play a role in your life. For instance, how do you decide the amount and type of clothing to own? What is your stance on furniture and bedding (many followers of extreme minimalism forgo furniture and simply live on the floor so to speak)? How does technology play a role in your lifestyle (e.g. do you own a phone)?
A. Thank you for listening to my videos and for reaching out. It is nice to hear that you have been gradually taking up some Platonic ascetic practices I have described.
As regards material possessions, I want and try to have as few and little and inexpensive as is reasonably possible for survival in this complicated brave new modern techno-world and in a temperate climate and still having to work part-time (I am not yet retired). Of course, I don't have and never have had and never would have a car or a television or a stereo or any expensive or 'big ticket' items or any property or my own condominium or house (by far, the single most expensive thing I have is my prescription eyeglasses, which are a necessity I can't do without), but beyond that I don't really have a rule or rules about those few necessary things I need to have--I just decide as I go along on an ad hoc basis. Also, whatever clothing or other things I have, I keep until they are fully worn out and no longer functional, so I have various things that are more than 30, 40, or even 50 years old. When I do need to get something, which I really don't like doing or have interest in doing, I just try to decide what is reasonably in accord with voluntary ascetic poverty and what effect it might have on my soul and its constitution. As regards clothing, I do wear out a pair of running shoes every several months (and I can't wear them once the heels are too worn out because it makes my knees hurt), since I have to walk all the time, even just to get to the bus, but only purchase new (vegan/non-leather, of course!) ones that are on sale or less expensive. I only wear Dickies' work pants, of which I have a few pairs, keeping at least one that is in fairly good shape to wear to work. I have one pair of vegan Adidas Stan Smith sneakers that I got on sale to wear to work and going to and from the bus, when it is raining or there is snow. I have some shirts, some very old and worn, and have to have my separate work shirts (imprinted with the Mathnasium, where I work, logo). I have to have some outerwear for when it is cold, an umbrella for when it rains, some separate thick socks for when it is very cold, etc. I just live in a room I rent in an old run down rooming house. It is already furnished with a bed, so I do have one, a couple old rickety chairs. a warped fold up table, etc. I also have an old bookcase that I brought with me here for my Greek books and texts and auxiliary English ascetic books (though these I usually give away as soon as I have read them). I am 65 now, and can no longer sit cross-legged on the floor or sleep on the floor (though a mattress on the floor would be OK when I might have to move some time) like I used to when I was younger. As far as technology goes, I have a small inexpensive Chromebook, on which I am writing this to you. I do have a cell phone, but only a flip phone, not a 'smart phone'--just a phone to talk, not as a computer with 'apps' and so forth--for the service for which I only pay $20/mo.
Anyway, this has already gotten pretty long. I hope I have answered your question somewhat at least. In sum, though I long for the old days and places where and when a renunciant could manage with just the clothes on his back and a few utensils, and dislike having material possessions and anything that binds to or is involved in or directs attention to this world, and want to have as few as possible, it is no longer possible to do this entirely in our present circumstances and at least where I live in suburban Maryland in the Washington DC area where winter can be quite cold (especially lately!), there can be heavy rain, etc. So, I do the best I can just to survive in minimal fashion--again, without a specific rule or rules except the principle of voluntary monastic poverty, just deciding as best I can as I go along. Still, all my material possessions all together (except the bookcase) could fit in the back of a car. Incidentally, I don't use the word 'minimalism' or think of it. I think in terms of renunciation and ascetic and monastic poverty, which is absolutely essential spiritually, along traditional lines.
